Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Popular Ingredients 26 No-Fail Chicken Dinner Ideas The Whole Family Will Love Are your usual go-to chicken recipes cramping your style? Try these delicious and flavorful meals you'll be making over and over again. By Betty Gold Betty Gold Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 02, 2024 Close When it comes to fuss-free dinners, chicken is the ultimate crowd-pleasing ingredient. The versatile, lean meat—whether you're working with boneless breasts, bone-in thighs, or even a straight-from-the-store rotisserie bird—takes to a variety of cuisines, flavors, and cooking techniques. Kids love chicken just as much as adults, it's affordable, and it's quick to prepare and serve. Here, we've rounded up some of Real Simple's best, easy-to-make chicken dinner ideas your whole family will love. We cover the classics—from Panko-Crusted Chicken Parm to No-Time Tikka Masala—plus plenty of fresh takes on delicious dinners made for entertaining, like Chicken Cheddar Sandwiches and Slow Cooker Chicken Chili. 12 Crowd-Pleasing Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes 01 of 26 Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes Greg DuPree One-dish dinners are a dream come true for busy cooks. You can cook everything you need for your meal—in this case, chicken leg quarters and sweet potato wedges—at the same time, and on the same dish. This saves you time, mess, and a whole lot of effort. This dish is quite simple, which is why it's so great for weeknights. You can change up the herbs (it calls for sage, but rosemary would be good, too) and switch the greens from watercress to butter lettuce or anything you have on hand. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 26 Salt and Pepper Chicken Jen Causey If your family loves a kick of spice, try this salt-and-pepper chicken recipe. Chinese five spice, which includes cinnamon, cloves, star anise, fennel seed, and Szechuan peppercorns, quickly adds a delicious and warm flavor to the chicken thighs. Jalapeños are added to the chicken for a bit more spice in each bite. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 26 Skillet Chicken With Grapes and Shallots Fred Hardy Level up your chicken dinner game with this recipe that packs a whole lot of flavor in every bite. The caramelized grapes burst with sweetness, while the juicy chicken gives the ideal savory contrast. Shallots become mouthwateringly tender and sweet on the skillet too. All atop a scoop of polenta, we assure you this dinner falls into the comfort food category. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 26 Crispy Honey Mustard Chicken With Fries Fred Hardy Before you run out to your closest fast-food fried chicken chain, consider making these super easy panko-coated chicken thighs. Ready in just 40 minutes, this tasty chicken dinner might even take less time than going out (with no doubt that it will taste better.) Serve it with your favorite frozen fries, a quick zingy slaw, and extra honey mustard for dipping. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 26 Cheesy Chicken Nachos Greg DuPree Making a nachos recipe at home leaves you to pile on the goodies evenly over the chips, which you'll arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. This means every chip is gloriously topped with chicken, cheese, salsa, avocado, and, well, more cheese. Make it a bigger meal by adding black beans or get creative and swap the avocado for guacamole. Best part? This dish takes 20 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 26 Baked Chicken Parmesan Jennifer Causey Crispy chicken cutlets get topped with seasoned crushed tomatoes, torn mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves for an easy dinner the whole family will love. Be sure to broil the cutlets on a rack so they stay crispy all over. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 26 Skillet Chicken Thighs With Balsamic Glaze and Fresh Cherry Salsa Greg DuPree File this cooking method under "Smartest Back-Pocket Chicken Recipes." Roasting the thighs in a hot oven means you can get evenly cooked, juicy meat and still have crispy skin on top, all without having to splatter your cooktop. While the chicken cooks, you'll make a quick, buttery balsamic glaze that balances the rich chicken and tart cherry salsa. Speaking of the salsa, it's the kind of fresh take on a side that is as good a match for chicken as it is with white fish, steak, or even crispy tofu. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 26 Spicy Grilled Chicken With Shaved Zucchini Salad Jen Causey Are you searching for a recipe for a flavorful, healthy chicken dinner? Look no further than this simple, summery number. The Aleppo pepper-rubbed chicken packs just enough heat and is paired with a lemony-marinated zucchini salad, all of which gets drizzled with a garlic and herb dressing. To make this recipe even more filling, add some grilled bread or pita. Shopping tip: If you can't find Aleppo pepper, which is imported from Syria, you can use regular chili flakes. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 26 Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup Jennifer Causey You might think soup is just too hot for a summer day, but it can be very refreshing and filling without making you fan yourself at the table. Plus, you can use cooling toppings like radishes, sour cream, avocado, and fresh corn to keep things light. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 26 Crispy Chicken-And-Cheddar Sandwiches with Pickle Dijon Jennifer Causey There's a story about a famous roasted chicken recipe that has caused engagements. But, to be honest, this chicken sandwich recipe might just rival any marriage-inducing chicken. And at the very least, a sure way to someone's heart is through this chicken sandwich. Think of it as an upscale, DIY version of your favorite fast-food chicken cutlet sandwich. It's worth finely grating Cheddar from a block instead of using the store-bought kind, since it melds nicely with the crispy cutlet crust. Looking to mix it up? Try provolone instead of the cheddar, and a bitter lettuce like radicchio for the romaine. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 26 Chicken Salad With Chard, Cabbage, and Pickled Onions Anna Williams Want a low-maintenance chicken salad minus the mayo? Simply use your broiler to make irresistibly crispy chicken thighs then pair them with quick-pickled onions, green cabbage, and raw chard leaves (think kale that's easier to chew). It's quick, it's easy, and best of all, it's delicious. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 26 Orange Chicken Stir-Fry With Rice Noodles Victor Protasio Once you discover how easy it is to make orange chicken at home, you might never order Chinese takeout again. The "orange" part of this orange chicken recipe comes from orange marmalade, which adds the citrus flavor as well as a welcome bitter note to balance the sweet and salty elements. Scrape the pan well when you add the sauce to the chicken so that you can take advantage of any delicious drippings. Noodles offer a fresh take on the classic recipe, but if you prefer white or brown rice, either will work. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 26 Crispy Chicken Cutlets With A Crunchy Salad Jennifer Causey What pairs perfectly with a crispy chicken cutlet? A fresh, green salad that's dressed in a lemony vinaigrette and showered with cheese. The vinaigrette in this simple recipe might just become a house favorite—the shallots become lightly pickled in the vinegar, and fresh oregano lends sophisticated flair to an everyday dressing. The salad can be adjusted based on the season—try tomatoes and arugula in the summer and roasted squash and kale in the fall. Bitter greens work particularly well, as they balance the rich, fried cutlet. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 26 Chicken With Salsa, Olives, and Lime Victor Protasio A saucy, delicious chicken dinner that comes together in 20 minutes? Where do we sign up? Braising chicken breasts in a flavorful mixture of pico de gallo (aka fresh salsa), salty green olives, and tart capers ensures tender, not rubbery, meat. Add homemade garlic bread or warm tortillas to elevate an everyday dinner. Using store-bought pico de gallo saves time—instead of chopping onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and herbs, it's all ready to go in a convenient package. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 26 Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs With Salsa Verde Jen Causey Fresh salsa verde is the kitchen staple you need to be using to get dinner on the table faster. This five-ingredient easy recipe is a great place to get started. Searing the chicken thighs in hot oil makes for a golden-brown crust that gives the whole dish a major flavor boost. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 26 Slow Cooker Chicken Mole Chili Antonis Achilleos The flavors of irresistible mole snuck their way into this mouthwatering slow-cooker chicken chili recipe. Mole, a rich Mexican sauce usually containing raisins and chocolate, makes everything better. Leftovers love to play with tacos and enchiladas, so this is basically the chili that keeps on giving. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 26 Chicken-Pesto Flatbread Sandwiches Caitlin Bensel A piadina is an Italian sandwich typically made on flatbread, but here, hot, crispy pizza dough stands in for flatbread, creating a delicious new classic. Tucked inside these piadinas are fresh mozzarella, baby arugula, and pesto-tossed rotisserie chicken. The pesto here is homemade, but if you're tight on prep time, store-bought will work well, too. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 26 Crispy Chicken Cutlets Jennifer Causey Learn how to fry chicken cutlets with our easy method. The results are stellar every time with a crunchy golden crust and juicy interior. Use the cutlets as inspiration for a range of other recipes (Salads! Sandwiches! Chicken parm!) or serve with a squeeze of lemon. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 26 Slow-Roasted Lemon & Herb Chicken Jennifer Causey This method for slow-roasting chicken takes the guesswork out of what can be an intimidating task, that is, roasting a 3 ½ lb piece of meat. Cooking the chicken for 2 ½ to 3 hours at a relatively lower temperature (300°F) yields a meltingly tender, rotisserie-like finish. You may never fast-roast again. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 26 Chicken Adobo Victor Protasio If you have never tried chicken adobo, then it's time to make friends with this Filipino chicken dinner. This version takes its cues from the classic, which combines vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic. Plus, there's pineapple and orange juice mixed into the sauce to give it a sweet-and-sour vibe. Poured over rice, fresh pineapple and cilantro perfectly complement the rich and saucy chicken. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 26 Baby Kale and Chicken Caesar This delicious kale salad is healthy, yes, but it's satisfying enough to star as your main dish. Simply toss greens with rotisserie chicken, shredded Brussels sprouts, parmesan cheese, homemade croutons, and Caesar dressing for a dinner that takes 25 minutes flat. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 26 Rosemary Chicken with Zucchini Anna Williams This sheet pan dinner of rosemary chicken with zucchini couldn't be easier. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are marinated in dijon and rosemary while zucchinis and potatoes round out the meal. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 26 Apricot-Fresno Glazed Chicken Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Hall Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen If you're looking for something spicy and sweet, this chicken dish is the perfect answer. Apricots and Fresno chiles pair up to form the rich glaze, while Worcestershire sauce brings the umami and ginger brings the zing. Not into apricots? Swap in pineapple or orange marmalade for the glaze. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 26 Ground Chicken & Green Bean Stir-Fry Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall This ground chicken stir-fry requires very little fuss, though you would never guess that from the depth of flavors. A rich oyster, soy, and mirin sauce coats the succulent chicken, crispy green beans, and spicy Fresno chiles to create the perfect balance of umami and heat. Served over rice to catch every last bit, this is a dish your family will be begging you to make again and again! GET THE RECIPE 25 of 26 Greek Salad with Chicken, Feta “Croutons” and Tahini Dressing Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen With a tahini-honey dressing and feta "croutons," this play on a classic Greek salad is delightfully delicious. You marinate the chicken in a Greek-seasoning mixture to infuse it with rich, herby flavors, then bake it alongside the feta cubes until they're both perfectly golden brown. If you need to prep in advance, the dressing stays good for up to a week in the fridge, and the chicken can marinate for up to eight hours before cooking. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 26 Rotisserie Chicken and Avocado Tostadas Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless On nights that you're pressed for time, this easy tostada recipe is a lifesaver! Using rotisserie chicken simplifies the recipe but doesn't skimp on flavor. All you have to prep is the dressing, which is a mixture of salsa verde, mayonnaise, cilantro, and lime juice. Layer the tostada with avocado, chicken, lettuce, and matchstick radishes, and you're done! GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit